Job fair allows students to find local work during summer

There's more to summertime in Bloomington than beautiful weather and ample parking. Students who choose to stay in town can take classes, volunteer and work in a city that takes on a new atmosphere during the warm months. With summer school registration already underway, it's time for several hundred students to find jobs.\nFortunately for students facing unemployment, help is on the way. This year's IU Summer Job Fair will happen Wednesday, from 1 until 4 p.m. in Alumni Hall in the Indiana Memorial Union.\nSponsored by the Career Development Center, the fair boasts at least 50 employers looking to hire hundreds of students for both work- study and nonwork-study positions.\nSophomore psychology and English major Aqilah Abdul-Kareem attended a job fair earlier in the year and recommends that other students attend. After the fair, she was contacted by several employers and ultimately chose the position with the highest wages. \n"Because (the fair) is on campus, the employers know that you have a class schedule to work around and are more flexible," Abdul-Kareem said.\nSince many students find it difficult to work during the regular school year, summer is the perfect time to plump up a résumé. Jan Nickless, associate director of the CDC, hopes that all students take advantage of this event attended by 800-1,000 students annually. \n"Part-time jobs indicate commitment and an investment in education (and can be) a springboard to future internships and careers," Nickless said.\nThe fair is beneficial for all in attendance. Just as students can meet with many employers in one location, employers have the opportunity to meet many qualified students.\nDorothy Thompson of Chadon Photographers has attended the fair for several years and said it is a great resource for her business. "Students here are so talented and capable; there is a wonderful pool of people to choose from," Thompson said.\nJunior Heather Braaten plans to stay in Bloomington because she has an unpaid internship position mentoring juveniles in correctional facilities. \n"I want to go to the fair to find a job that will help with my majors in psychology and criminal justice," Braaten said. "I hope my involvement in various activities this summer will help focus my career \nprospects after graduation."\nNickless has suggestions for students interested in attending the fair. Students should bring their school ID, a résumé if available and dress neatly. Also, if a student is interested in several employers, she said it is a good idea to meet with your second choice in the beginning, to get warmed up and in interview mode for your top. For more information, visit www.indiana.edu/~career/parttime/job_fairs.html\n-- Contact Staff Writer Kacie Foster at kdfoster@indiana.edu.